Fire station mascot Bucky is deer-napped each year

Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service Lt. Steve Zark, left, and Firefighter Dewey Lyons place “Bucky” the deer safely atop the roof of the watch tower at Fire Station No. 1 at the intersection of 15th Street and Greensboro Avenue on Thursday.

Staff photo | Michelle Lepianka Carter

By Michelle Lepianka CarterStaff Writer

Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 10:55 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | The mystery surrounding Bucky is as thick as Santa Claus' beard.

The wooden deer has been around Tuscaloosa for at least 20 years, although no one really knows where he came from.

His personal Facebook page lists his birthday as Dec. 25, 1970. The page also includes photos of Bucky's mysterious travels and the wooden deer's “work” at his home base, Fire Station No. 1 on the corner of 15th Street and Greensboro Avenue.

Each year, Bucky appears in the West Alabama Christmas Parade.

Bucky then becomes a pawn in a war of heists between fire stations around Tuscaloosa that escalates until Christmas Day.

The mascot of Fire Station No. 1 “runs off” to other fire departments, according to Lt. Steve Zark of the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service.

“Its good firehouse fun” Zark said.

The fire station that swipes Bucky usually finds a way to brag about its theft, sometimes posting photos of the deed on Facebook.

Bucky isn't always treated well by his captors. Once, he was put in a wood chipper. But Bucky managed to be resurrected the next year, adding to his legend.

Last year, Bucky was dismembered and his wooden pieces were scattered at fire stations throughout Tuscaloosa. But the firefighters at Fire Station No. 1 re-assembled Bucky.

Every year when Bucky is deer-napped, the hunt begins to bring the wooden deer back to Fire Station No. 1. Wherever Bucky ends up on Christmas Day, he will remain there throughout the year until his return in the Christmas parade the next winter.

On Monday, Bucky was in the parade in downtown Tuscaloosa. By Thursday, Bucky was on the roof of Fire Station No. 1.

Though the firefighters at the station tied Bucky to the roof for safe-keeping, many of them said they will not be surprised if the wooden deer mysteriously turns up missing within a few days.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | The mystery surrounding Bucky is as thick as Santa Claus' beard.</p><p>The wooden deer has been around Tuscaloosa for at least 20 years, although no one really knows where he came from. </p><p>His personal Facebook page lists his birthday as Dec. 25, 1970. The page also includes photos of Bucky's mysterious travels and the wooden deer's “work” at his home base, Fire Station No. 1 on the corner of 15th Street and Greensboro Avenue. </p><p>Each year, Bucky appears in the West Alabama Christmas Parade.</p><p>Bucky then becomes a pawn in a war of heists between fire stations around Tuscaloosa that escalates until Christmas Day.</p><p>The mascot of Fire Station No. 1 “runs off” to other fire departments, according to Lt. Steve Zark of the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service. </p><p>“Its good firehouse fun” Zark said. </p><p>The fire station that swipes Bucky usually finds a way to brag about its theft, sometimes posting photos of the deed on Facebook.</p><p>Bucky isn't always treated well by his captors. Once, he was put in a wood chipper. But Bucky managed to be resurrected the next year, adding to his legend.</p><p>Last year, Bucky was dismembered and his wooden pieces were scattered at fire stations throughout Tuscaloosa. But the firefighters at Fire Station No. 1 re-assembled Bucky.</p><p>Every year when Bucky is deer-napped, the hunt begins to bring the wooden deer back to Fire Station No. 1. Wherever Bucky ends up on Christmas Day, he will remain there throughout the year until his return in the Christmas parade the next winter. </p><p>On Monday, Bucky was in the parade in downtown Tuscaloosa. By Thursday, Bucky was on the roof of Fire Station No. 1.</p><p>Though the firefighters at the station tied Bucky to the roof for safe-keeping, many of them said they will not be surprised if the wooden deer mysteriously turns up missing within a few days.</p><p>And the legend of Bucky the firefighting deer will continue to grow.</p>